Tunne Kelam (PPE). - Mr President, sadly the killing of Mr Bahizire 15 days ago is not an isolated tragedy. As the UN Special Rapporteur has said, this killing strongly suggests official responsibility. We notice that politically motivated killings are part of a growing trend of intimidation and harassment of human rights defenders, political opponents, victims and witnesses in the Democratic Republic of Congo during the past five years.

We express our deep sorrow and sympathy to the family of Mr Bahizire and we call on the Council and the Commission to put pressure on the authorities of the Democratic Republic of Congo to provide for normal conditions for human rights defenders and to bring those responsible to justice.

Catherine Stihler (S&D). - Mr President, I would like to thank the authors of this resolution. The murder of Floribert Chebeya Bahizire on 2 June has led to more than 50 organisations, and Ban Ki-moon himself, calling for an independent investigation. His work defending human rights led to threats to his life including repeated threats from the police, and it is my understanding that he was actually visiting an inspector at a police station on 1 June; we know that on 2 June his body was found.

I would like to seek reassurances that the Commission and the Council will press for an independent investigation, and also that his family will be kept safe. I think that this is a reminder to us all that we take many of our human rights for granted. He defended human rights and he defended them to his death. He needs our respect.

Charles Tannock (ECR). - Mr President, this horrific case recalls the worst abuses that one of Africa’s most noted kleptocrats, the late Mobuto Sese Seko of Zaire, a country that eventually became the DRC. The change of name has sadly not changed the political culture in this country.

Human rights defenders still face grave dangers in doing their job. Journalists are routinely threatened and sometimes killed. Indeed, the name of Floribert Chebeya Bahizire is the latest in a long line of courageous human rights defenders who paid the ultimate price for their convictions.

I sincerely hope that this case will result in a conviction of another kind, and that in the longer term the EU will redouble its efforts to strengthen civil society in the DRC. I am also convinced that the climate of political violence and impunity in the DRC – and in other parts of Africa sometimes – is linked to the control of resources, especially minerals. I have previously urged the Commission to consider extending the Kimberley Process of certification beyond diamonds – the blood diamond story, as it were – to other minerals. I believe this would be a significant step forward in helping to address the lawlessness that continues to claim the lives of brave men such as this man in particular.

John Dalli, Member of the Commission. − Mr President, the Commission learned about the death of Floribert Chebeya Bahizire with deep sadness. Floribert was one of the most well-known active and vocal human rights defenders in the DRC, leader of the organisation La Voix des Sans-Voix, with whom the Commission works regularly and which is one of the most respected human rights organisations in the DRC. The circumstances of his death strongly suggest that such a loss might indeed be a murder that could implicate DRC officials.

Accordingly, the death of Floribert gave rise to strong reactions not only in the DRC but also from the international community. The EU and a number of our Member States, but also the United Nations and the United States, have all expressed their concerns and urged a serious investigation in order to establish the facts and avoid impunity. The facts should be properly investigated and the perpetrators should be effectively prosecuted. President Kabila has already expressed his wish to clarify the events; some suspects from the national police forces have been arrested and the Head of the National Police has been suspended until further notice.

The DRC authorities have also accepted a Dutch offer of cooperation. A Dutch medical team examined Mr Chebeya and should be able in the coming weeks to provide further clarification of the circumstances of his death. The DRC’s initial response does indeed indicate that the authorities understand the need to promote an impartial, credible and transparent investigation. The European Union, together with Member States with a presence in Kinshasa, will nevertheless follow up closely the developments on this issue with a view to encouraging the authorities to achieve rapid and concrete results.

On a more general note, the EU would welcome the DRC Government stepping up its efforts to fight against impunity and is ready to support such efforts by helping the DRC to uphold its human rights obligations and its commitment to the rule of law.